Hospice announces retail restructure to ensure long-term sustainability

St Nicholas Hospice Care has begun a consultation process regarding a proposed restructure of its retail operations, as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and ensuring the long-term provision of specialist palliative care services in West Suffolk and Thetford.

Linda McEnhill, Chief Executive Officer of St Nicholas Hospice Care, said: “I can confirm that we have begun a consultation process regarding a proposed restructure of our retail operations.

“Like many charities, we are facing significant financial challenges due to rising costs and changes in funding. While we have taken steps to improve income and reduce overheads, we must now make further changes to secure our long-term future.

“Our current retail model has grown complex and, in parts, unsustainable and following a thorough review conducted by an independent retail consultant in the autumn, we are proposing changes to our retail structure.”

A meeting with retail colleagues whose roles have been placed at risk of redundancy was held on 1 April, ensuring they had the opportunity to understand the reasons behind the proposed changes, ask questions, and access support.

The hospice is following a legal consultation process to ensure fairness and support for affected colleagues. The proposed changes affect only the charity’s retail operation and do not impact clinical and other services supporting patients and families. All of the hospices’ shops will remain open, and the charity is committed to making them even more effective in generating funds for hospice care.

Linda added: “Regrettably, these proposed changes mean that 16 roles are at risk of redundancy. These decisions have not been taken lightly, and we recognise this is a difficult time for some of our valued colleagues.

“We are exploring redeployment opportunities as the restructure will create some alternative roles and we will ensure that all affected employees are treated with compassion and respect.

“The contributions our retail teams make remain vital to the hospice, and these proposed changes would allow us to focus on the most effective income-generating areas, improving their efficiency and increasing income.

“Despite these necessary changes, our commitment to our hospice’s mission remains the same—to provide expert end-of-life care and bereavement support to those who need us across West Suffolk and Thetford.”

Like hospices nationally, St Nicholas Hospice Care is facing the challenges of rising costs— from business rates and increasing energy costs to national insurance and wages.

However, over the past year, the charity has taken important steps to reduce costs and strengthen future income.

These include, outsourcing its lottery to improve returns and reduce overheads, joining a national legacy campaign to grow long-term giving and securing additional funding through NHS commissioning.

The hospice has also increased the number of beds on its in-patient ward to expand its capacity to provide care.

“We are grateful to our supporters and the community for the generosity they continue to show the hospice, and we hope that they will continue to support us through fundraising events and by visiting our shops,” said Linda.

For more information on the St Nicholas Hospice Care and the services and support it offers across the area, and its fundraising events, please visit www.stnicholashospice.org.uk